PANAJI
Barely a week into its ambitious rollout, the shift to a fully cashless system for traffic fines by Goa police is proving successful. However, concerns remain regarding the removal of the cash payment option.
Since March 1, the traffic police have issued 4,160 challans under the new system, implemented under strict directions from Additional Director General of Police Omvir Singh. But despite the shift, the option for cash payments exists, which has now prompted the department to seek assistance from the National Informatics Centre (NIC) to permanently remove it.
The move towards a cashless system was prompted by a financial fraud last month at Bicholim police station, where a woman constable allegedly misappropriated Rs 17.30 lakh. While she was suspended and the amount was recovered from her, the case forced the department to rethink its processes and eliminate cash transactions to prevent future misconduct.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (Range) Varsha Sharma assured the system is functioning smoothly. “There were initial issues but these have been corrected, and the system is working seamlessly… Sensitization programmes and training sessions for officials on field duty are already underway,” she told The Goan.
However, sources revealed that some officials on field duty were allegedly still accepting cash payments.
Currently, the department uses around 350 e-challan devices with over 270 allotted across the 16 Traffic Cells. Meanwhile, the 29 police stations are also tasked with issuing challans to traffic violators and are equipped with the devices.
“There were teething problems but they didn’t stop the issuance of e-challans. The first two or three days had some issues but they have been rectified,” another senior officer confirmed wishing anonymity. He added that software upgrades are in progress to remove the cash payment option entirely.
It is further reliably learnt that devices were declining online transactions however, issues with Google Pay and RuPay cards were resolved recently.
Of the 4,160 violators booked so far, 635 cases are pending, either sent to court or awaiting payment within the 30-day window.
DIG Sharma reiterated that the system ensures transparency. “Once caught for a violation, a person can either pay online on the spot or receive a payment link via SMS valid for 30 days. This will eliminate all past allegations of misconduct,” she stated, indirectly referencing the fraud exposed by The Goan last month.
